Protesters call on Bush adviser

April 04, 2004

WASHINGTON — Karl Rove didn't exactly put out the welcome mat last Sunday when about 800 protesters organized by Chicago-based National People's Action took over the presidential adviser's front yard in Washington to protest the administration's immigration policy.

The protesters want the president to back a bill called the DREAM Act that would give undocumented students a shot at legal status if they graduated from high school and met other requirements. Rove called the Secret Service, but later agreed to meet with Emira Palacios and another protest organizer in his garage. After berating them for making his child cry, Rove angrily walked away and told them never to come back, Palacios said. "At least they are talking about the DREAM Act," said Palacios, the national co-chair.